The hob is induction or electric. What is the difference between an induction hob and an electric one?

Three essential element, without which it is impossible to imagine modern kitchen, even a schoolchild can easily name - these are a refrigerator, a sink and a stove or hob. Let's talk about the last one. Various options for hobs are presented in stores today in a wide range. Firstly, they can be combined - with ovens and independent - without an oven. They can be standard - with 4 burners and compact or mobile - with two or even a single-burner variation. According to the heating method, all surfaces are divided into gas (with a burner), electric (a tabletop model is possible) and combined.

If the house is let down gas pipe- most often they install a gas or combined panel, and this is understandable - gas is much cheaper than electricity, and the surface itself will cost you less. A standard combined surface usually includes 3 gas points and one electric. Frankly, gas hotspots have a number of disadvantages.

  • Fire hazard - open fire can lead to the most disastrous consequences;
  • There is a problem with moving the stove to another location; coordination with gas services will be required;
  • Difficulty in carrying out repairs - repairing gas stoves Only specialized gas services of the city have the right.

In view of this, the increasing popularity and good feedback purchase electric hobs. Their list of advantages includes greater functionality and ease of use. If you have chosen them, you should decide on the surface material: enamel coating, aluminum, stainless steel or glass ceramics.

The first three coating options are inexpensive materials whose advantages are mainly low cost and whole line shortcomings. However, they can still be found in the kitchen of many homes.

Glass ceramics are becoming increasingly popular due to their beauty and versatile style. It is quite easy to clean, but at the same time you will have to always be on alert with it. Do not use abrasive substances or use the hard side of the sponge to avoid scratches. Glass ceramics is the most expensive type of material for a hob, however, sales of such a panel exceed the sales of all other options. There are 2 main types of glass-ceramic stoves: electric and induction.

The difference between an induction hob and an electric one: comparison

In fact, both induction and electric cooktops are electric. An induction cooker is a more advanced model of the basic electric cooker, which has a number of features. So, induction cookers Unlike electric ones, they have the following important differences.

Positive:

  • The surface of the stove does not heat up, which is very important if there are children in the house, they cannot get burned;
  • Safety - if there are no special dishes on the stove, the stove will not turn on, it only heats the dishes placed on it, without heating itself;
  • Accordingly, less electricity is consumed, saving money;
  • Very fast heating of food, many times faster than on a conventional electric stove - water boils within 2-3 minutes.

Negative differences between an induction cooker and an electric one: during operation you can hear a slight noise from the fan located inside the panel, high price. Cannot be used with ordinary dishes - you must purchase dishes (pots, frying pans) with a special magnetic coating on the bottom.

Which is better: induction or electric hob

We looked at what important distinctive features two panels. The principle of operation of an electric stove is clear to everyone - the electric current interacts with the heating elements located under the glass-ceramic coating and heats the dishes standing accordingly. Heating elements in in this case Spirals made of a special metal are used. Control can be carried out either mechanically or using a sensor.

What is the secret of an induction hob? Its operating principle is completely different from the operation of basic electric stoves. It does not have heating elements in the form of metal plates; such panels use electromagnetic coils, which, when electricity is supplied, creates a magnetic field around itself.

If a dish with a special magnetic bottom is placed on the surface, it will heat up very quickly.

Such a heating system will not even pay attention to ordinary dishes. At the same time, during rapid heating of the dishes, the surface of the stove will not heat up. Due to the fact that the stove begins to consume electricity only when standing dishes and only for the size of the bottom of the cookware - and not for the entire area of ​​the cooking zone - the energy savings are quite significant - consumption is 1.5 times lower than that of a conventional electric stove. At the same time, it is worth noting that the price induction surface significantly exceeds the bar that an electric stove holds. Therefore, if you do not plan to cook a lot, the savings from reducing energy consumption are doubtful. Choose which is better - induction or electric hobs, it costs each owner independently, based on what exactly he needs.

Induction or electric hob: the difference between them

Regardless of which of the surface models discussed above you choose, it is worth knowing that both of them most often have a glass-ceramic coating. This coating looks very stylish and beautiful and does not spoil the interior even in a kitchen studio. But it is important to use such a surface correctly.

It cannot be cleaned with powder products - the glass ceramics may be scratched.

You need to be careful when operating - do not throw devices, do not knock on it. With an electric stove, you must try to avoid burning food on the surface - since the washing process is quite a labor-intensive task. In this case, there are no such problems with induction cookers, since the surface is always cold and any spills of food or liquid on it can be easily wiped off with a damp sponge.

Both plates have a large number of programs: child protection (locking buttons), heating adjustment, changing the size of the heating area in the case of an electric stove. The noise level when operating an induction cooker is higher than when operating a conventional electric cooker. Or rather, an electric hob has no noise at all. Induction is equipped with a fan that cools the stove and the sound of its operation is slightly audible.

Unique infrared hob

Perhaps the third common type of electric stove is the infrared stove. These hobs are also equipped with a glass-ceramic surface. Warming up occurs through electric current, heating the heating elements, which in turn create infrared radiation.

Water, which is part of all products, absorbs this radiation and thereby releases heat, which heats the stove.

Due to its good thermal conductivity, such a stove quickly heats up to desired temperature. You can cook absolutely any food on such surfaces – from cheesecakes to borscht. This stove can be used with any type of cookware, except for paper or plastic.

Criteria: what is the difference between an induction hob and an electric one (video)

In this article, we looked at the main options for hobs, helped us compare and choose. However, which model to choose is always up to the buyer. Each of the models has a set of both advantages and disadvantages.

Every housewife dreams of having not only functional, but also stylish modern appliances in the kitchen. Fortunately, now there is plenty to choose from - the range on the market is simply huge. Future users are at a loss: so who cooks better - electric or? Both plates will work from the mains– this is where all the similarities end. To understand what the difference is and do right choice, you need to know their differences.

Which hobs will look better in the kitchen - electric or induction? The difference between them lies in the following nuances:

  • features of device operation;
  • using suitable utensils;
  • work safety;
  • heating rate;
  • economical cooking process;
  • ease of care.

The main difference is the operating principle of both devices. The electric stove will first heat itself and only then will the heat transfer to the dishes placed on it. The induction inherent in the technique of the same name works diametrically opposite: under work surface The hob contains a coil that activates magnetic currents in the cookware itself. This leads to Only the pans and pots are heated, you don’t have to worry about getting burned. There are also many other factors that make a difference.

  1. The previous difference between an induction cooker indicates usage, which has the properties of magnets. To save money, ferromagnetic stickers that are “sculpted” onto existing household utensils are also suitable. But the electric stove is “favorable” to any types of pots and pans - they can be coated with both aluminum and enamel.
  2. Induction cooker is much safer than usual– it will not turn on until the dishes are placed on it. Moreover, the latter must be complete.
  3. Another significant competitive difference is cooking speed. The induction option definitely wins here. The answer, again, lies in the peculiarities of the work: there is no need for the panel to warm up to the desired temperature for a long time; thanks to the actions of electromagnetic vortices, everything happens much faster.
  4. Since both types of appliances are powered from the mains, the induction cooking method is much more more economical. Calculations show that in this case, 1.5 times less electricity is spent. Read more about stove electricity consumption.
  5. If food gets on the surface of the electric stove, it will be much more difficult to get rid of cooking marks in the future if you do not clean it in a timely manner.

So, the induction panel will differ primarily, no matter how strange it may sound, in its intelligence. It will release exactly the amount of heat needed to heat the dishes of the required diameter.

Why you might like electric stoves

This option kitchen appliances is explained not only by habit. And, although everyone around is striving to move to a new stage in the evolution of hobs, the standard electric stove still has many adherents. And all thanks to significant advantages.

  1. You can connect the device without the help of a specialist, on your own.
  2. Most modern models of electric stoves have energy saving mode.
  3. Electrical options are relatively safe to use (the main thing is to take care of good wiring).
  4. When using such equipment, no combustion products will be formed, which will ensure clean air in the kitchen.

Disadvantages of induction technology

What are the shortcomings in the operation of such technology? With an electric one, everything is clear: there is a long heating time, its unevenness, and the danger of getting burned. And this is not to mention the bills for consumed resources. Compared to them, the induction competitor avoids all these pitfalls so well that it seems simply ideal. But this also has its drawbacks.

  1. Research confirms its harmfulness. This becomes especially noticeable if she is standing nearby.
  2. There is also a myth about negativity. However, such assumptions have not yet been confirmed.
  3. The cost of newfangled equipment is several times higher than that of the usual version. But for those who want to keep up with the trends of progress, such a trifle does not matter.
  4. If the model has a common frequency generator that operates on several burners, it is possible power loss when they are turned on at the same time.
  5. Often, when operating such equipment, there is a load on the wires, and if the wiring turns out to be old, then its use is dangerous.

What materials are used in the manufacture of equipment

When choosing which of both proposals will look better in the kitchen, you need to look at appearance technology. This rule is relevant not only in terms of design and compliance with the interior, but also in relation to the practicality of the equipment being used. For the manufacture of electric stoves it is usually used enamel coating(or from of stainless steel). And again, what distinguishes an induction panel from a conventional electric one is the ability to be made in a completely different material - glass ceramics.

The appearance already shows the user all the beauty and innovation of such an invention. Essentially, this is a panel with burners drawn on it. The heating elements are hidden inside, but when the burner is turned on, it is always illuminated, which makes working with it more careful. This choice of coating has a completely understandable logical explanation.

  1. Aesthetic component. Yes, such a panel turns out to be much more beautiful than a regular hob. The stylish surface will fit well into any interior.
  2. Strength. According to manufacturers, glass ceramics can withstand the fall of a two-kilogram load (for example, a pan) from a height of 15 cm. This is indicated by European production standards. Of course, targeted blows with a hammer will definitely cause cracks.
  3. The panel control can be either mechanical or sensory. In the second case, it is more convenient for cleaning after it.

The last paragraph obliges to disclose and main secret c – there is a taboo on the use of abrasive substances. You should immediately remove spilled cereal and sugar (the latter may stick). Otherwise, the integrity of the top layer may be damaged, which leads to malfunctions of the equipment.

When thinking about what exactly should be in the kitchen - an induction or electric hob, you should focus, first of all, on your own financial capabilities - buying more modern model will expensive pleasure. If this issue is resolved positively, preference should be given, of course, to induction devices, which, when correct location V kitchen space They will allow you to cook food faster, and will also save energy.

Today, the induction hob market is replete with various options. With such a variety, it can be difficult for a consumer to choose a specific option, so people are often forced to resort to Internet resources to find a model with the best reviews. Among the well-known models with high ratings from consumers, Hotpoint equipment leads. The company has just recently introduced a new line of induction hobs, focusing on safe use: the possibility of injury from accidental contact with a working stove is minimized. high level heating, since the panel surface is equipped safe system control locks. This function heats the cooking zone exclusively under the cookware area, which is very important for families with small children. Important characteristics also include 4 individual cooking zones, each of which can reach the maximum heating level in seconds and maintain it for 4 minutes thanks to the Booster function and regulation of 9 heat levels using the touch control of each slider.
In addition, this model will be interesting for both kitchen professionals and beginners. The modern hob equipment ensures excellent results regardless of the complexity of the recipe using 4 automatic functions:
- melting mode ( ideal temperature for preparing sauces without the risk of burning at the bottom of the pan);
- stewing mode (delicate cooking mode without boiling);
- heat preservation mode (maintaining the temperature of the dish until serving);
- fast boiling mode (for quickly boiling water).
The development of such models once again confirms that today induction panels are more in demand and more practical to use than electric stoves that are fading into the background.

The very first hobs were gas. Then electric ones appeared, and only then induction ones. They have a slightly similar principle of operation, although there are fundamental differences. This is what today’s article will be about – the differences between induction and electric hobs.

Electrical panels

The very first models appeared around the end of the 19th century. At that time, such a device was revolutionary and was the most powerful household electrical appliance. However, it was unsafe, because... the surface became very hot high temperatures, and the protection systems were either very banal or absent altogether.

Today electrical panels are different types and differ in many ways. For example, there are devices with electronic touch controls, and there are models with conventional rotary switches. There are also stoves based on simple spirals and halogen heaters, and there are induction hobs - they are a type of electric hob.

Induction panels

The main difference between these panels and other electric ones is the use of an electromagnetic field to heat the dishes. Simply put, under the glass-ceramic surface there is a special induction coil - it is this coil that creates the electromagnetic field. It easily passes through the ceramic and forms eddy currents at the bottom of the pan (or other utensils). This is accompanied by the release large quantity warmth.

induction coil location

The burner itself does not heat up from the eddy current; heating occurs only at the bottom of the pan. This eliminates the possibility of fire. Afterwards, however, you can feel the heat on the ceramic surface, but this heat will come from the pan itself, and not from the operation of the stove. The induction effect used here is often used in metallurgy for melting metals.

The difference between induction cooktops and simple electric ones

Despite the fact that induction panels are only one type of electric, for some reason they are usually separated as two separate types. We won't argue. There are differences between them:

  • Induction panels are economical compared to conventional electric ones;
  • They are also safer to use. Safety is mainly achieved by the absence of heating of the ceramic surface itself, which eliminates the possibility of getting burned. In the case of using a simple electrical panel, you should be very careful;
  • When the induction coil operates, an electromagnetic field is created. It is likely to have harmful effects ( electromagnetic radiation) per person. Although this can be argued. We don’t know for sure whether this radiation affects humans and the food itself cooked on this surface;
  • This type electrical panels involves the use of special utensils. Most often, after purchasing an induction hob, you have to additionally buy special cookware. Ordinary cookware does not “know how” to effectively absorb the energy created by the electromagnetic field. In addition, modern induction cookers are quite “smart” and they do not turn on if they see that the wrong cookware is on the surface.

Of course, induction hobs are more technologically advanced and efficient when cooking. But they also cost more than simple electric stoves. By the way, there are now combined models on the market - with two regularHiLight burners and two induction. If you can’t decide between induction and electric models, then maybe you should pay attention to the combined option?


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